GRAND ISLAND — With Alex Neutz seemingly hauling in anything launched
in the air these days, Lance Robinson’s name hasn’t been heard from too
much. But that’s just the way the Grand Island senior wideout likes it.

“I enjoy having that secondary role actually,” he said. “I’m under the
radar.”

That’s not to say Robinson is not confident. In fact, he’s just the
opposite.

“If teams want to double- or triple-team Alex and they leave me 1-on-1, I have
the confidence that I can beat them and make a play,” he said.

GI coach Dean Santorio has similar faith in Robinson, who does have a couple of
key touchdowns to his credit this fall.

“Lance would be anybody else’s best receiver,” the coach said. “We are
willing to throw it to him at any time because we believe he can make plays with
the football.”

That same playmaking ability has transferred over to the defensive side of the
ball, where Robinson has excelled at the safety position.

“He’s had a real nice year defensively,” Santorio said. “We moved him
from corner to safety so he could be more free and use his speed to make plays
on the ball all over the field.”

Robinson said defense has now become his trademark.

“I love playing ‘D’,” he said with a huge grin. “You get to pop
people, knock them down and then do it again the very next play.”

Robinson’s role on special teams, though, has been an area where Santorio has
sought improvement, as evidenced by his, at times heated, discussions with
Robinson on the sidelines. But unlike most teenagers that would sulk in the wake
of criticism, Robinson said he uses it as motivation.

“The coaches here are like second fathers to me and sometimes I need guidance
like that from them,” he said.

Santorio said that kind of response shows exactly what type of kid Robinson is.

“We might get into it a little bit, but 15 minutes later we’re fine,” the
coach said. “He’s a really nice kid. He brings a lot of energy to the table,
he’s light hearted, funny and bright.”

With a loose, yet focused attitude, Robinson and his teammates are eying up a
Saturday showdown with Iroquois and a chance to return to Ralph Wilson Stadium
for the first time since 2005.

“We have great chemistry on this team,” Robinson said. “That has been a
huge reason for our success and that will continue to be a huge reason for our
success.”